Most contentious was the proposal for a government-run insurance option, also known as a public option, to give Americans a choice over private insurance companies.

VOA: standard.2009.11.08

President Obama said a government-run insurance option as an alternative to private insurers is one part of Democrat's health care proposal, adding he is willing to address legitimate concerns Republicans have.

VOA: standard.2009.09.10

Liberal advocacy organizations wasted little time this week condemning Democratic leaders when news broke that a Senate deal had been struck to replace the public option with another proposal to help cover the uninsured.

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The other bill, from the Senate Finance Committee, includes nonprofit cooperatives instead of a public option and is the proposal supported by Snowe.

CNN: Optional public option enters health care talks

It said the "preferred option" was a revised proposal with 2, 000 fewer homes than in the original one, following the government's decision to revoke the South East Plan.

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